Governor Unveils Online Tool Detailing Budget Effects on Communities

The tool includes a maps for transportation funding and educational funding for each legislative district.

In an effort to promote his $34.8 billion budget proposal, Gov. Deval Patrick unveiled an online tool with 400 maps that shows what each legislative district would receive in education funding.   “This tool will help people see exactly what to expect in their own backyard as part of the investments we’ve proposed,” Patrick said. “Meaningful investments in education and transportation today will significantly improve our economic future both in the short term and for generations to come.” There are two maps per district – one displaying transportation investments and one displaying education investments in each community.     For example, according to the maps, the 6th Norfolk House District, which includes Canton, would see a total of $147…

• Documents (2)

Letter to the Editor: Politics Today

Canton resident Paul Seery speaks out about the need for openness in government in his letter to the editor.

Dear Editor: I believe there are three major political parties in this country: Democrats, Republicans and the Lobbyist Party. You notice I left off the, “Tea Party.” The Tea Party is a right wing spinoff of the Republican Party. However, the all powerful Lobbyist Party operates with no pledge, with no elected officers, with no formal collective, no meetings where policy is discussed, no forums, no nothing. They are likened to Gossamer drifting on the winds of the day. They are there, but uncontainable. Yet, they are always ready and willing to ply the sticky palms of greedy politicians to accomplish their goals, and they do, over and over, day in day out. Unchecked, the result is what we have today–financial chaos. The once most powerful …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

House of Representatives Passes Supplemental Budget Addressing Unemployment Insurance, Fuel Assistance, and Adult Day Health Programs

Canton's Rep. Galvin joined House of Representatives in passing legislation.

State Representative William C. Galvin (D-Canton) joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing legislation that prevents a scheduled increase in unemployment insurance for employers, includes a crucial increase in funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and provides additional funding for the MassHealth Senior Care Adult Day Health program.  “I often speak with constituents about these three subjects, so I know how important this supplemental budget is to the communities of Avon, Canton and Stoughton,” stated Representative Galvin.  “I am very glad we were able to assist businesses by preventing the unemployment rate increase, while also allocating additional monies to help the …

• Photos (1)

Patrick-Murray Administration's FY 2013 Budget Proposal to Add $5.2 Billion in State Funding

Murray previews Administration's budget investments at Massachusetts Municipal Association.

Delivering the keynote address at the 33rd Massachusetts Municipal Association’s annual meeting, Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray today announced more than $5.2 billion in state funding to cities and towns, including a $145 million increase in K-12 Chapter 70 education aid – the highest level in history – which will be included in the Patrick-Murray Administration’s Fiscal Year 2013 budget proposal.  “Massachusetts is leading the nation out of the global economic recession thanks to our targeted investments and strong partnerships with cities and towns,” said Lieutenant Governor Murray. “Governor Patrick and I are proud to support our municipal partners with these investments in local aid and education, which continue to provide …

• Photos (1)

Governor Patrick Signs $51.9 Million Supplemental Budget, Adds Veterans Benefits, Disaster Relief

Bill boosts funding for veteran’s services across the Commonwealth.

Governor Deval Patrick today (November 11) signed a $51.9 million supplemental budget bill that provides funding to sustain essential state services and programs this fiscal year, and to provide for unavoidable and unanticipated costs. The bill includes $21 million for the Department of Housing and Community Development’s emergency assistance (EA) program, which provides shelter and other emergency housing services to low-income families with children, and to pregnant women, who are homeless. In addition, the bill includes $10 million for a reserve fund to reimburse state agencies for costs incurred responding to the natural disaster, including emergency management, roadwork, debris removal, housing, and aid during and after Tropical Storm…

• Photos (1)

$169 Million Supplemental Budget Signed into Law by Governor Patrick

Canton is receiving $131,146 as part of this supplemental budget.

Representative William C. Galvin (D-Canton) is pleased to announce the final approval of the $169 million supplemental budget. This budget includes $65 million in additional aid to communities throughout the Commonwealth. Canton is receiving $131,146 as part of this supplemental budget. “Given these economic times we were very cautious in developing the 2012 budget. Higher than estimated tax revenues have allowed us to give a bit more financial assistance to communities, which is beneficial, particularly in this economic climate,” commented Representative Galvin. The supplemental budget also includes $39 million for the MassWorks infrastructure improvement project, which will generate economic development opportunities and create jobs. The…

• Photos (1)

House and Senate Pass Balanced FY12 Budget, Canton's Representative and Senator Weigh In

Representative William C. Galvin and Senator Brian A. Joyce announced the budget.

Featured Announcement: Budget Promotes Cautious Spending and Increased Efficiency Representative William C. Galvin (D-Canton) and Senator Brian A. Joyce (D-Milton) are pleased to announce the passage of a $30.59 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2012 aimed at increasing government efficiency, cutting costs and shielding essential services. The budget reduces the State’s FY12 Stabilization Fund draw by $15 million and closes a $1.9 billion budget gap with funding reductions, ongoing revenue initiatives and one-time revenues.  “This was a very difficult budget cycle, but despite the circumstances we were able to increase local aid and deliver a responsible budget on time without raising taxes,” stated Representative Galvin.  “While the …

• Photos (1)

Town Government: Annual Town Meeting

Third Night of Town Meeting Wrapped Up All Business for Canton

Canton's 2011 Annual Town Meeting officially closed last night.

Third time's the charm. Canton's Annual Town Meeting officially closed last night at around 8:00 p.m.  The three-night affair created debates, heated discussions and attracted record numbers. Last Wednesday, a motion to reconsider Article 34 was approved. Article 34, the Local Meals Excise Tax article, had previously failed at Town Meeting due to a tie vote. Therefore, night three of Town Meeting took place last night at 7:00 p.m. One-hundred and thirty residents came back for the third installment of ATM. However, the motion to reconsider and reopen Article 34 failed last night, since it did not receive a 2/3 majority vote. Eighty-two voted in favor and 48 voted opposed. Watch the video clips of last night's meeting to see the discussions…

• Photos (1)
• Videos (3)

Town Government: Annual Town Meeting

Town Meeting Heats Up with CPA, Schools Debates

Night two of Canton Town Meeting sparked heated discussions; third night to be held Monday.

Maybe the third time's the charm for Canton's Annual Town Meeting. Mark your calendars because Monday night at 7:00 p.m. will be the third installment of ATM. On the agenda for Monday night: a motion to reconsider Article 34, the Local Option Meals Excise Tax article. If the motion to reconsider receives a 2/3 majority vote, according to the Town Moderator, then discussions will continue. The article received a tied vote on Wednesday night, 133 to 133, and therefore failed. (A 2/3 majority vote was needed for the article to be approved.) Article 34 would put an extra tax on your dining-out bills in Canton. This tax would add a .75 % tax on meals in Canton. If you spend $100 on a meal, you would pay an extra 75 cents on your bill if this …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (6)
• Videos (4)

Town Government: Annual Town Meeting

A Voter's View of the Second Night of Canton's Town Meeting

Information and opinion about the second session of Canton's Annual Town Meeting.

If you did not believe me that Town Meeting can be interesting and did not attend Wednesday’s session of Town Meeting, you missed out on one of the more interesting discussions. At Monday’s Town Meeting session, the last article that was voted on was whether or not Canton should adopt a Local Meals Tax as authorized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  After a lengthy debate, the vote ended in a tie. Since a majority vote was needed to pass the article, the motion failed. I had wondered myself if a tie should result in an automatic re-count. Furthermore, the vote counting was a little confusing.  It was a standing count and it appeared as if some people sat down prior to actually being counted.  Leaving Town Meeting, I wished I had …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Christine Smith

8:41 pm on Thursday, April 28, 2011

Thanks Katie! I will see you there!   more ›